Tuesday, February 14
JACKSONVILLE
1 P.M.
Jacksonville State University
vs
UAB
Men's Tennis to Host UAB in Valentine's Day Match
2/13/2023 1:37:00 PM | Men's Tennis
JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State men's tennis will look to halt a two-match losing skid in Tuesday's home non-conference bout against UAB. That in-state showdown will begin around 1 p.m. at the JSU Tennis Courts.
"In terms of what we need to do, for us it's just focusing on ourselves," men's tennis associate head coach Trey Morris said. "It's what we've talked about all year, which is that we're going to be judged based on how well we do, how well we create our habits, and how well we execute things we've been working on. It's going to be the same against UAB.
"If we come out and buy into the challenge that they present and accept the fact that we're going to have to suffer to win, then we have the quality to come out on top tomorrow," Morris said. "But that's the key: Can we take care of things that we need to take care of on our end? If we do those things, then we will have a chance to win. When we get those moments, we've just got to seize it and walk through that door."
After dropping a matchup at SEC foe Alabama the previous week, Jax State (4-3) suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss at Furman on Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks seemingly could not catch a break in Greenville, S.C., losing two doubles matches in tiebreakers and falling in three sets in the game's decisive singles flight. Now, Jacksonville State returns home for an important battle against a solid Blazers program.
UAB (3-2) has been battle tested early in their Spring 2023 campaign. They lost their first two outings of the year, coming up short in a 5-2 setback at Alabama before South Alabama handed them a 4-3 defeat on Feb. 4. Since then, the Blazers have notched impressive wins over Alabama State, Alcorn State, and North Alabama, and are coming off a 6-1 victory over the Lions at the Hoover Met Tennis Center on Friday.
This early week test will be a bittersweet one for Morris, the newest member of the Gamecock coaching staff. Morris, who was hired at Jax State in January, served in the same role for six months at UAB before joining the Gamecocks program.
"This is a match that means something special to me," Morris said. "It'll be exciting to see all the players I was working with in the fall as well as Coach (Justin) DeSanto, who I still have a very good relationship with. It'll be great to have those guys come to town."
Jacksonville State lost their last meeting with UAB when the Blazers tallied a 4-1 win in Birmingham on March 21, 2021. The Gamecocks have fallen in seven straight against their Yellowhammer State rival dating back to 2009-10 and will search for their first win over them in recent history on Tuesday.
Tuesday's Valentine's Day match in Calhoun County will start at 1 p.m. Links to follow along with live stats will be provided at JSUGamecockSports.com.
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Twitter (@JaxStateTN), Instagram (@JaxStateMTennis), and Facebook (Jacksonville State University Tennis) accounts.
"In terms of what we need to do, for us it's just focusing on ourselves," men's tennis associate head coach Trey Morris said. "It's what we've talked about all year, which is that we're going to be judged based on how well we do, how well we create our habits, and how well we execute things we've been working on. It's going to be the same against UAB.
"If we come out and buy into the challenge that they present and accept the fact that we're going to have to suffer to win, then we have the quality to come out on top tomorrow," Morris said. "But that's the key: Can we take care of things that we need to take care of on our end? If we do those things, then we will have a chance to win. When we get those moments, we've just got to seize it and walk through that door."
After dropping a matchup at SEC foe Alabama the previous week, Jax State (4-3) suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss at Furman on Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks seemingly could not catch a break in Greenville, S.C., losing two doubles matches in tiebreakers and falling in three sets in the game's decisive singles flight. Now, Jacksonville State returns home for an important battle against a solid Blazers program.
UAB (3-2) has been battle tested early in their Spring 2023 campaign. They lost their first two outings of the year, coming up short in a 5-2 setback at Alabama before South Alabama handed them a 4-3 defeat on Feb. 4. Since then, the Blazers have notched impressive wins over Alabama State, Alcorn State, and North Alabama, and are coming off a 6-1 victory over the Lions at the Hoover Met Tennis Center on Friday.
This early week test will be a bittersweet one for Morris, the newest member of the Gamecock coaching staff. Morris, who was hired at Jax State in January, served in the same role for six months at UAB before joining the Gamecocks program.
"This is a match that means something special to me," Morris said. "It'll be exciting to see all the players I was working with in the fall as well as Coach (Justin) DeSanto, who I still have a very good relationship with. It'll be great to have those guys come to town."
Jacksonville State lost their last meeting with UAB when the Blazers tallied a 4-1 win in Birmingham on March 21, 2021. The Gamecocks have fallen in seven straight against their Yellowhammer State rival dating back to 2009-10 and will search for their first win over them in recent history on Tuesday.
Tuesday's Valentine's Day match in Calhoun County will start at 1 p.m. Links to follow along with live stats will be provided at JSUGamecockSports.com.
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Twitter (@JaxStateTN), Instagram (@JaxStateMTennis), and Facebook (Jacksonville State University Tennis) accounts.
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